5 Tips for Easier Oral Care at Home

Oral care starts at home, and what is habitual for some, can be a great source of stress and dysregulation for others. Learning some strategies to help take some of the pressure off brushing at home can help to reduce stress associated with this important factor of selfcare. Below are some ideas to make brushing a more tolerable experience for children with oral-sensory and toothbrushing aversions.

Tips for improving brushing tolerance with kids:

1) Try a different flavour of paste- Aversion to toothpaste flavour was one of the main reasons children tell me they dislike brushing. There are tones of different flavours available on the market, and you may need to try a few before you find one that works. I have found the Colgate Watermelon flavour to be one most kids are willing to accept, and it contains fluoride, which when used properly reduces the risk of cavities.

2) Laying down as opposed to standing when executing parent – assisted toothbrushing – laying down can help prevent the war of “you push in- they pull back” and also helps to relax tight lips and make brushing more comfortable. If you are able to sit behind the child’s head, you can see much easier into their mouths as well, and when you see better, you can do a better job.

3) Switch up your inter-dental aids – it doesn’t have to be all string floss all the time – try using an interdental brush like a Soft Pik, Proxy, or Curaprox interdental brush to make between teeth cleaning more comfortable. Water piks or other power flossers can also be great substitutions for traditional floss.

4) Oral care outside the bathroom- With the advent of calcium hydroxyapatite toothpastes such as Remin or Green Beaver – Enamel Protect toothpaste, kids are able to use a paste that helps reduce the risk for cavities, and is swallow safe! Utilizing an interdental brush while playing video games, or flossing in front of the tv are both ways to help integrate an oral care habit in a passive way. Brushing and flossing do not always need to be done in front of the sink, all at the same time. Changing the environment, and breaking down the tasks, can go a long way to achieving compliance.

5) Try a different style of brush- Sometimes something as simple as reducing the size of the toothbrush, the softness of the bristle, or utilizing a sonic vs. rotary power toothbrush can have a big impact on tolerance with toothbrushing. In the last several years, there have been several sensory friendly toothbrushes introduced to the market. Silicone and Three-sided, toothbrushes are both new on the market options to try when traditional brushing cannot be tolerated. Choosing a brush that utilizes a “toothbrushing motion” if possible, can help to transition to traditional brushing sooner.

Toothbrushing is an essential part of overall self care, and helping to create a calm, happy and accepting environment for this important daily task helps to reduce family stress and encourages steps towards increasing adequate oral self care and hygiene. Finding the tools that work for your child, combined with an environment and position that allows them to be relaxed and accepting, reduces anxiety around oral care and improves overall health.